1. What is the ideal trailer for you.
One that is paid off.
I also need a tall, roomy trailer for my big-bodied mare. I had a few custom changes made when I ordered my 2-horse slant Titan. It is extra tall and they moved the tack room wall forward to give Misty more room in the front stall. I lost some tack room space, but it was more important that Misty have room to travel comfortably.
Ideally, I would have living quarters, but I've made a comfy nest in the bunk of my gooseneck trailer. It is not insulated and can get pretty cold at night. So this year when I took the trailer to the shop for spring maintenance I had an electrical outlet installed. Now I can plug into an RV hookup and run a ceramic heater and a few conveniences like a lamp, DVD player, or electronic tablet. Just enough to take the chill out and relax watching a movie or reading an E-Book.
2. Do you use shipping boots, a padded halter, a head bumper or other protective equipment for your horse when trailering?
I have shipping boots and I've used them before, but I don't use them routinely. If it is really hot and I want to travel with the window screen down, I'll put a fly mask on Misty so debris and bugs won't blow into her eyes. I don't use anything else, but I do secure her in the trailer with a Tie Safe Trailer Tie. I keep her rope halter on, but have often wondered if a nylon or leather halter would be safer for trailer travel. What do you think? She travels well and is calm loading and unloading, so I haven't felt the need to add much to our routine, although I've thought about putting a head bumper on her, just in case.
I have shipping boots and I've used them before, but I don't use them routinely. If it is really hot and I want to travel with the window screen down, I'll put a fly mask on Misty so debris and bugs won't blow into her eyes. I don't use anything else, but I do secure her in the trailer with a Tie Safe Trailer Tie. I keep her rope halter on, but have often wondered if a nylon or leather halter would be safer for trailer travel. What do you think? She travels well and is calm loading and unloading, so I haven't felt the need to add much to our routine, although I've thought about putting a head bumper on her, just in case.
3. What item(s) do you always carry in your trailer, or recommend that other's carry?
- Tack & Grooming Supplies
- Saddle Bags & Rain Slicker
- Riding Helmet & Riding Gloves
- Whip/Carrot Stick with Flag attached (for sacking out & ground work)
- Extra Halter & Lead Rope, Lunge Line & Lunging Whip
- Roadside Assistance Information (I use U.S. Rider)
- Orange Traffic/Safety Cones
- Equine First Aid Kit (People First Aid Kit is in the truck)
- Equine Cookies
- Extra Hay (I use the ones with the smallest mesh holes for "in-flight" meal service)
- Fly Mask
- Fleece Cooler in wintertime / Waterproof, Breathable Sheet for summer camping
- Water & Bucket
- Manure Fork (be courteous and don't leave manure in the parking area)
- Extra Clothing, especially sweatshirt or jacket
- Mounting Step/Block
- Wash Cloths, Paper Towels, Toilet Paper, Anti-bacterial Wipes
- Camping Lantern, Flashlight, Extra Batteries
- Camping Chair
- Portable Potty (comes in handy if you don't have living quarters)
My question for you:
What are your summer/vacation plans? Misty and I are going to a mountain dude ranch.
